Frazer Lee's Blog, page 34

Countdown to The Lamplighters: 5 days

Today's Lamplighters countdown post is all about 'Simone', a short horror film with… bite.

I wrote the screenplay, originally entitled 'Hair of the Dog', a few years back with a view to shooting it in London someday. Those plans never came to fruition (for further details on that, check out the print edition of 'Urbane and Other Horror Tales).

The project was given a new lease of life when indie filmmakers 386 Films of Florida USA optioned the screenplay. Within just a few months, uber-prolific director Joops Fragale and producer Michael Long had adapted the screenplay, cast the film, assembled a killer crew – and shooting was underway.

Since its completion, the film has been very well received at film festivals, winning awards including Best Short (Audience Award) at Shockerfest, CA USA along the way, not to mention a raft of positive reviews. The finished film is almost double the length of my original screenplay, which focused mainly on the black comedy aspect of waking up with a hangover and not remembering what happened the night before. Joops and his team added a dark, melancholy love story to the mix and the end result is in my view a very unique and atmospheric movie.

Simone screens in London tonight at Crystal Palace Pictures' Halloween Special, opening for one of my very favourite movies of recent years, The Orphanage. If South London is a little far away from you, be sure to check out the 386 Films website for photos, reviews, an EPK, and those all-important DVDetails!

'Til next slime, take scare.

Countdown to The Lamplighters: 6 days

Today's Lamplighters Countdown post is all about the South African Horrorfest, which kicks off today at the eloquently named Labia Theatre in Cape Town.

This amazing festival has an embarrassment of treats on offer; everything from costume parties, live music, thru zombie walks and screenings of dozens of short films and features to give you goosebumps and set your teeth On Edge with fright.

Hee, that's right trick or treaters, my own horror short 'On Edge' screens on Thursday 4th November, along with dark delights including 'The Theatre Bizarre' and a prize draw that will see one lucky winner staggering away with 40+ DVDs.

'On Edge' (adapted from the story by Christopher Fowler) stars Doug Bradley (perhaps best known as 'Pinhead' from the Hellraiser movies 1-8) and Charley Boorman (The Emerald Forest, Excalibur) and tells the wicked tale of impatient businessman Peter Thurlow (Boorman) who jumps the queue at the dentist's surgery… and gets a little more than he bargained for when he meets enigmatic dentist Dr. Matthews (Bradley). The film has played festivals around the world and has garnered several awards along the way (including Best Horror Short, 1st Place at Dragon*Con USA 2009). Horrorfest marks the film's South African debut.

If Cape Town is a little far away for your dental appointment, you can check out the film online and the DVD/VOD release is available at Amazon.com.

The South Africa Horrorfest runs 26 Oct-4 Nov and you can check out the full line-up at the official site, Facebook Group & Event Page and follow events via the festival's Twitter.

Countdown to The Lamplighters: 7 days

My horror novel 'The Lamplighters' is out a week today on 1st November.

Thanks to all who have been pre-ordering the book it is currently #4 in Samhain Publishing's Top 10 Horror Bestsellers.

To celebrate I've given the old website a bit of an overhaul – hope you like the new look?

Have a browse around and be sure to check out the special Lamplighters page, where you can read an excerpt from the book and find links to pre-order the book in all major ebook formats for your Kindle, Nook or other newfangled e-reader device.

Paperback (or as some are calling them now, 'Treebooks' – I love that name) aficionados please note The Lamplighters trade paperback is out on 7th February 2012.

I will be running a Halloween competition to win a freebie so make sure you drop by and 'Like' the official Facebook page to be in with a chance of winning!

The Lamplighters is published by Samhain Horror, which launched this month under the supervision of Editor (and genre legend) Don D'Auria with exciting releases from authors both established and new.

A few of the Samhainers (Kristopher Rufty, Jonathan Janz, Ron Malfi, Brian Moreland and Hunter Shea) got together and recorded a radio chat in which they discuss the process of writing, getting published, and what to expect next from them. It's a fun and informative listen and you can check it out here.

'Til next slime, take scare.